DaisyDee Art Studio has launched a new skin care line called Natural Daisy. Natural Daisy offers all natural skin care products that include body butters, soaps, scrubs, lip balms and bath soaks. All of the products are handmade with all natural ingredients and with lots of care.

Check out the new website at NaturalDaisy.com for new products that are added monthly.

What Is Croup?

Croup is the result of the same virus that causes the common cold. In fact, it can often occur just after your child has had a cold or cough. It’s a cough that seems to linger and sounds more like a “bark.” It is produced from a throat that has become overly dry and inflamed. The inflammation shrinks the air passages and changes the way a cough sounds.

Most cases of croup in infants are very mild, but to keep them that way takes a bit of knowledge. If the cough is not treated at home early, it is likely to get more and more inflamed and can threaten to greatly reduce a child’s ability to get oxygen. This is when you must head to a doctor for help.

Natural Treatments for Croup

Here are a few natural suggestions to help keep your child at home and comfortable until a mild case of croup runs its course:

1. Steam

Once or twice daily, place your child in a small bathroom and turn on the hot water to create a steamy environment. Help them sit there for 10 minutes. Alternatively, you may create a therapeutic steam with a bowl of boiled water and a towel, tented over the child’s head and the bowl. (You may need to sit with young children to be sure they don’t touch the bowl or water.)

2. Rest

Your child is fighting off a virus. No running and playing or going back to school. Rest, sleep, and relaxation is the key.

3. Fever

Allow any fever that is not excessively high (103° and up) or prolonged with no change (more than 4-5 days) to run its course. Do not attempt to bring the temperature down.

4. Fresh Air

If it’s not too cold, a bit of humid chilly air can be very helpful to moisten the airways and take down the inflammation a bit. Be sure to dress warmly, even if you’re just sitting inside a slightly open window.

5. Mullein Tea

Mullein (Verbascum thapsus) is one of the best plants to use for croup. It is high in mucilage to soothe and moisturize dry membranes while alleviating the cough.

With crazy weather her in NC, 20 degrees one day and 70 degrees two days later, no wounder people are getting sick. Fight viruses and bacteria, and ease the uncomfortable symptoms of a cold or flu the natural way.

Ingredients for tea blend:

You can find all ingredients online or at your local health food store.

¼ cup dried echinacea leaves

¼ cup dried peppermint leaves

¼ cup dried lemon balm leaves

3 Tbsp dried elder berries or ¼ cup dried elder flowers

Add all ingredients to a glass jar and shake gently to combine. Seal jar tightly. Label well and store your Cold and Flu Tea away from heat and light for up to a year. This blend will make approximately 24 cups of tea.

For one cup of tea:

1 cup of filtered water

2 tsp Cold and Flu Tea blend

raw, unfiltered honey to taste (optional)

Add tea blend to tea infuser or tea ball. Bring water to a boil, remove from heat. Pour water into mug and add tea. Steep for 5-10 minutes. Add honey (if using) and stir until dissolved. Drink up to 3 cups of tea per day as needed.

Herbs for cold and flu season

Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea, E. angustifolia, E. pallida) – Prevent or help the body fight colds and the flu. Echinacea is one of the most researched herbs for its effectiveness in shortening the duration and reducing the severity of cold and flu symptoms. This herb contains active substances that boost the immune system, reduce inflammation, and reduce pain.

Elderberry (Sambucus nigra, S. canadensis) – A powerful flu fighter. This herb has anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, and immune stimulating effects. It has been shown to greatly reduce healing time when taken at the first signs of flu symptoms. Elderberry works to prevent viral infection by blocking the virus from penetrating our cells. Many symptoms of the typical cold and flu virus can be treated with this berry. Elder flowers can also be used in herbal tea blends to help reduce fevers. (Never eat the leaves, stems, or raw berries of this plant, which contain toxic components.)

Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)- Works against a variety of viruses and bacteria, including the virus that causes the common cold. Its anti-inflammatory properties also make it perfect for soothing headaches. It has a fresh lemony-mint flavor when added to tea.

“Every single product that I have purchased has been awesome! I love love love the bath bombs. I recently had a DaisyDee party and it was a huge success! Dara was very professional and everyone loved the product that they purchased. Purchasing online is also a very simple process and I received my product the very next day! I will certainly be purchasing again.”